As Egypt accelerates its efforts to empower women economically and harness the potential of technology, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) announced that it has financed women-led projects with over EGP 18 billion, creating 1.2 million job opportunities for Egyptian women and girls across all governorates since July 2014. The announcement came during the 4th edition of the CEO Women Conference, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.
Speaking at the conference, Basil Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA, reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in Egypt. He emphasized that women are a core pillar of the national economy and that MSMEDA has intensified its efforts to provide them with financial, technical, and technological support. This includes tailored services that help women start, grow, and sustain their businesses—especially in sectors impacted by digital transformation.
Themed “Women in Tech,” the 2025 edition of the CEO Women Conference brought together prominent figures from government, the private sector, and civil society to explore how innovation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization are shaping the future of women-led enterprises. Attendees included Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President and former Minister of Planning and Economic Development; Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity; Counselor Amal Ammar, Head of the National Council for Women; and Dr. Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology. The event was spearheaded by Dr. Mona Mourad, Founder and CEO of CEO Women.
Rahmy highlighted that the agency plays an essential role in implementing the government’s inclusive economic strategy by promoting entrepreneurship among women and youth. He noted that MSMEDA’s work aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The agency’s focus now extends beyond traditional business support to include cutting-edge tools that enable digital transformation, boost productivity, and ensure business continuity in rapidly evolving markets.
In addition to financial initiatives, Rahmy presented MSMEDA’s experience in venture capital funding through its “Tamouh” program, developed in collaboration with the World Bank. The program, valued at $50 million, supports high-potential startups and innovative entrepreneurs. MSMEDA has also partnered with leading universities and institutions to organize national business plan competitions and innovation showcases, further contributing to a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Dr. Mona Mourad, in her address, emphasized the vital role MSMEDA plays in enabling women to access genuine opportunities in the formal economy. Through its integrated model of financial assistance, technical mentorship, and capacity-building, the agency has helped thousands of women either launch new businesses or scale existing ones. She praised the agency as a national driver for inclusive economic participation and expressed hope that the conference would continue to serve as a permanent platform for dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment.
As part of the conference’s agenda, MSMEDA and CEO Women Business Club partnered with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the American University in Cairo (AUC CEI) to launch the Entrepreneur Zone. This dedicated area was designed to showcase entrepreneurial success stories and cutting-edge startup models. It also served as a networking hub connecting emerging businesses with investors, incubators, and potential partners, with a focus on promoting innovation that supports sustainable development.
The Entrepreneur Zone featured exhibitions from youth-led startups, women-owned enterprises, and tech-driven small businesses. It provided a platform for founders to display their products and services, engage with potential stakeholders. It also demonstrates innovative solutions that address real-world challenges in areas such as health, education, sustainability, and financial inclusion.
